If you’re looking to install a new toilet at home, you’ve probably been browsing through online stores or bathroom design catalogs. What you’ve undoubtedly found is that toilets, like most other bathroom necessities, come in different options, the two most prominent shapes being round and elongated. But what exactly is the difference between round vs. elongated toilets?
Essentially, the main difference between elongated and round toilet options is chalked down to the length and shape of the toilet bowl. Round toilet bowls are circular shaped with an average length of 16.5”. Elongated toilets on the other hand are oval shaped with an average length of 18.5”.
Aside from the length and size, there are a few other differences you need to consider before making your final selection for your bathroom. Read on to see what they are.
Let’s review a few of the key pros and cons of round toilets.
Pros
Cons
Some of the pros and cons of elongated toilets include the following:
Pros
Cons
When deciding between a round vs. elongated toilet seat, it’s necessary to do an in-depth comparison. Determine what would work best in your space as well as what would suit your family comfort levels.
Sometimes the toilet you have to choose has very little to do with comfort or cost. If your bathroom space is limited, a round toilet will be the best option. If you’re buying a toilet for the children’s bathroom, it might be a good idea to invest in the round toilet.
To keep up with the evolution in toilet trends, toilet manufacturers have started changing the designs of elongated toilets. This is so they take up the same amount of space as round toilets without losing out on the comfort factor.
For smaller bathrooms or spaces, try the GALBA small toilet. With its simple one-piece design, the GALBA model has a self-cleaning glazed surface that won’t scratch, fade, discolor or rust. It also offers a dual siphonic flush and a height of 16.5”. A great option for small spaces or children’s bathrooms!
A tip for you if you’re busy with renovations: Installing a corner toilet will save you a considerable of space in your bathroom. Corner toilets feature the same modern features as the elongated or round options.
Surely everyone who does any cleaning can agree on one thing: Cleaning the toilet is the least favorite chore in the house. Your toilet type can actually affect how you experience this task.
Elongated toilets are considerably easier to clean because of their shape. They have fewer gaps, crevices and irregularities under the seat. The longer shape also makes it easier to see any debris on the sides which makes cleaning bacteria Trusted Source Microbiological Hazards of Household Toilets: Droplet Production and the Fate of Residual Organisms Large numbers of bacteria and viruses when seeded into household toilets were shown to remain in the bowl after flushing, and even continual flushing could not remove a persistent fraction. This was found to be due to the adsorption of the organisms to the porcelain surfaces of the bowl, with gradual elution occurring after each flush. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov much easier, using a brush.
Fortunately, toilet manufacturers are making toilets with self-cleansing features. They use the incoming water to clean the toilet before use and the outgoing water to clean it afterward.
One of the biggest factors in toilet consideration has to be comfort. Elongated toilets are made to provide comfort to the user. The longer shape provides a larger surface area which is more accommodating to the human anatomy. The elongated toilets are also a popular choice for heavier people.
Children on the other hand prefer round toilets, especially during the potty training phases. Some children have said that using elongated toilets makes it seem as though they’re “falling in”. However, bear in mind that your children won’t be little for long, so this probably isn’t the sole reason to buy a round toilet.
An option to consider for the elderly, people with disabilities or patients with
sciatica
Trusted Source
Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention & Pain Relief
True “sciatica” (injury to the actual sciatic nerve) is rare. “Sciatica” more commonly describes pain that starts in your lower back and travels down your leg.
my.clevelandclinic.org
are padded seats. These provide additional comfort!
In general, round toilets are cheaper than their elongated counterparts. Some of the factors that determine the price of toilets include the following:
Fortunately, the installation costs charged by plumbers remain the same irrespective of which toilet you choose to have installed.
Round toilets are the traditional white types we all know. Round toilets are usually found in older homes with bigger bathrooms. Elongated toilets are popular in more modern bathrooms. Since elongated toilets are more aesthetically appealing than round toilets they’re a popular choice with home renovators.
Elongated toilets can be ordered in any color you want and some manufacturers offer retro designs such as well.
If you’re looking for a bright and colorful toilet seat to add a little flair to your bathroom, a popular choice is the Mayfair 13EC 000 Soft Easily Removes Toilet Seat. This toilet seat option is available in an assortment of colors which include black pink, white, bone, sky-blue, bone, biscuit and rain forest. This means you’ll definitely find the one best suited to your décor.
This model can easily be removed for cleaning and replacement making it a popular choice. With its cushioned seat and wood core this model is very durable. Another plus is that it’s made from environmentally friendly materials sourced in the U.S.
In general, there is a wider variety of elongated toilet models circulating in the market than there are round ones. This is probably as a result of the more modern appearance.
If you’re looking to modernize your toilet choice, the TOTO SW2034#01 C100 Electronic Bidet Toilet is definitely worth considering. A powerful water spray provides a thorough germ-killing cleanse with every flush. Added to that is the dual-action spray feature which has an oscillating cleaning function.
The ultra-modern Soft Close heated bidet seat provides you with consistent warmth across the full surface area of the seat. Other impressive features include the following:
A nifty fact about this model is that it’s available as a round or elongated shape. No matter what your preference, you can take advantage of this model!
In theory, an elongated toilet seat will fit on a round toilet, however, the fit might not be exact. This will lead to some discomfort. An elongated toilet seat will most likely hang over the edge of the round toilet and might be visible within the opening of the toilet seat.
It’s better to replace the entire toilet if you’re going to change from a round seat to an elongated one. It’s also the perfect opportunity to upgrade to a more modernized model with some of the features we’ve discussed.
With the information provided in this article, it should be much easier to replace or upgrade your toilet. Knowing the difference between round vs. elongated will help you choose the best toilet seat for your comfort as well as your general bathroom décor!
